Lester 3-Hits Twins In Complete-Game Gem

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jon Lester got a rousing ovation the first time he pitched in an Oakland uniform. His second start for the Athletics ended with his name being chanted by the crowd at O.Co Coliseum.

Lester pitched a three-hitter for his fourth career shutout, and the A's beat the Minnesota Twins 3-0 on Thursday night.

The All-Star left-hander struck out eight, walked two and only allowed two runners past first base in the 11th complete game of his career. He pitched out of a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the sixth but was otherwise stellar.

Lester (12-7) was making second start since being acquired at the trade deadline as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes to Boston.

The deal rankled many Oakland fans. Others welcomed the trade and showed their approval with chants of "Lester! Lester!" when the veteran pitcher came out to pitch the ninth inning.

Lester retired the first 15 batters while allowing only three balls out of the infield. Former A's catcher Kurt Suzuki ended the bid for perfection with a leadoff single in the sixth.

The former Boston ace improved to 6-0 with 1.21 ERA over his last 10 starts.

Stephen Vogt homered and Derek Norris hit an RBI double to help Oakland become the first team in the majors to reach 70 wins.

Chris Colabello and Oswaldo Arcia had the other hits for Minnesota, which has lost 10 straight to Oakland.

"Lester was the story of the night," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He has all the pitches. He can do all those things."

Vogt snapped an 0-for-23 skid with his sixth home run of the season, a two-run shot off Yohan Pino (1-4) in the third.

Back-to-back doubles by Brandon Moss and Derek Norris in the fourth made it 3-0.

Pino allowed six hits 5 2-3 innings. The right-hander struck out two and is winless in his last four starts.

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